Also no longer available:Adorama via eBay also has this for $299. Shipping starts at $8.50 and varies depending on zipcode. Adorama.com also has this deal for $299 + $7 shipping. Lens kit option is also available for $349 + free shipping. Thanks esd087

How to check your firmware out of the box:
-Turn on camera
-Rotate the mode dial on the top of the camera to the middle position - between auto (green) mode and video.
-Push INFO button and touch [CA] (creative Auto) and scroll with buttons over to select [AV] (aperture priority mode)
-Push MENU button and go to the wrench with 4 dots
-Bottom of screen lists your firmware version
(credits to m3m3)

No built in flash. Speedlite 90ex is about $140 extra. --> set up a slick alert for 270EX II ~$125 way way better than 90EX.
No view finder.
Canon EF lens adapter sells for $149 on Amazon
- bulk /grey market versions of same adapter can be found for under $100 on eBay from HK sellers $100
Third Party "Chinese made" Adapters with AF ability sell for 50 dollars on Ebay

Note that the white camera has a glossy finish and is a little more slippery than the black matte version.

This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.

Once a Thread Wiki is added to a thread, "Create Wiki" button will disappear. If you would like to learn more about Thread Wiki feature, click here.

Good camera for a newbie who wants to get more into cameras? Currently have an Elph and want to upgrade to something better. Saw the Pentax $499 deal also, which is a better deal for the pricepoint?
Also, in English please (don't understand the camera jargon), is the $299 or $349 a better deal above?

Good camera for a newbie who wants to get more into cameras? Currently have an Elph and want to upgrade to something better. Saw the Pentax $499 deal also, which is a better deal for the pricepoint?
Also, in English please (don't understand the camera jargon), is the $299 or $349 a better deal above?

Two ways to look at it: Save the $50 and get the more restrictive F/2 prime, which will get you nice bokeh, low light abilities and slight wide-angle...and then wait for a deal to get a better all-purpose lens. Or pay the extra $50 upfront to get a better focal range, but get annoyed over the long-run at the low-light restrictions and slightly worse image quality...and end up upgrading your all-purpose lens when you fully learn your camera.

Hard to give you a definitive answer, it depends on how point-and-shoot you'll be using this camera for. If you're completely new to photography, I'd spend the $50 and start learning which lenses you might want to upgrade with, what type of photography you like doing, and even if you'd want to upgrade cameras later. Just my $.02.

Good camera for a newbie who wants to get more into cameras? Currently have an Elph and want to upgrade to something better. Saw the Pentax $499 deal also, which is a better deal for the pricepoint?
Also, in English please (don't understand the camera jargon), is the $299 or $349 a better deal above?

if you're a newbie, you will probably like the convenience of a zoom better. if you shoot indoors a lot, you might like the faster 22mm lens (might be good for shooting kids indoors and such).